Student draws up plans for new sensory centre

Amelia Chasey has designed a new sensory rehabilitation centre to provide an increase in treatment options for children and adults.

A life-changing injury has inspired a final year university architecture student to overhaul access to chronic pain management facilities in Preston.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) student Amelia Chasey has designed a new sensory rehabilitation centre to provide an increase in treatment options for children and adults.

The 21-year-old from Hertfordshire, who will graduate with a degree in architectural technology next month, broke her back when she was 14 and has undergone several operations.

Her Sensory Rehab Centre has been designed to provide a more versatile range of facilities, following extensive research into the best methods for pain management including examining how light affects discomfort.

Amelia, who relocated to Preston to study at UCLan, said: “I’m aware of only one existing multi-sensory environment in the city and its surrounding areas, and I think it’s important for there to be more.”

I think there’s a real gap in the market for something like this, as someone who has experienced a debilitating condition, I have a different perspective on what I think could help people.

Multi-sensory therapy rooms, hydro pools, botanic gardens and parks all feature in Amelia’s design, which has been on display as part of UCLan’s annual degree show showcasing the final projects of final year students from architecture, design, fashion and art courses.

“One of my main priorities was to make sure the centre would be entirely accessible no matter what people’s individual requirements, which is why I made sure a ramp would run throughout the whole building.

“I think there’s a real gap in the market for something like this, as someone who has experienced a debilitating condition, I have a different perspective on what I think could help people.”

Amelia has already secured a job as an architectural technologist at Preston-based MCK Associates and would like to continue researching how sensory therapy can help people with a range of mental and physical conditions.

“It would certainly be rewarding to see my work come to fruition, I’d really like to see the concept taken further and have more options available to people seeking treatment to manage pain related to a range of conditions.”